Horse racing: Shubaat can seize chance at Chester

Roger Varian’s charge will be ridden by 3lb claimer Dominic Fox, and was a good winner at Musselburgh last month. Shubaat is also favourably drawn in stall three.

Meanwhile, connections of Tominator are hoping for a strong end-to-end gallop for last year’s Northumberland Plate winner. “He’s had a good preparation and I’m happy enough with him. It was always the plan to come here first,” said trainer Reg Hollinshead’s son and assistant Andrew. “I’m not sure how he’ll cope with the ground if it comes up very soft. He goes on a bit of cut, but I don’t think he likes it too soft. He’s just going to need luck in running and hopefully get a good pace.”

Jamie Osborne also has huge reservations about the ground for Never Can Tell, who was well beaten on her only previous run on soft ground. However, this race has always been the target for the Cesarewitch winner, owned by staunch Chester supporter Dr Marwan Koukash.

“She’s had a great preparation and this has been the plan since winning the Cesarewitch,” said Osborne. “Obviously it’s an important race for Marwan and for us all. She’s in great order, but I’m obviously very concerned about the ground.”

Mark Johnston fears that the widest draw has seriously compromised the chances of Gulf Of Naples, who goes to the Roodee on the back of an impressive win at Ripon.

“Gulf Of Naples is obviously the form horse. He’s racing with a 3lb penalty and everything would be perfect, but for his draw,” said the Middleham trainer.

Johnston also saddles Eternal Heart, who did considerably better than his stablemate in the draw with box No 5.

The conditions have prompted Jim Goldie to issue a warning that Hawkeyethenoo might miss Saturday’s Betfred Victoria Cup at Ascot. He said: “If it ends up very soft we might give it a miss. We didn’t expect monsoon-like conditions in early May.”